April 21st

April has always been my least favorite month of the year... and most specifically, the 21st is my least favorite day. Besides the fact that I get seasonal depression in this month, I lost both of my parents in April... dad in 2004 and mom in 2006. Although they passed on different days, my last good-bye to each of them was on the 21st.

Here they are back in their day... quite beautiful people.

This photo was taken in 1988. Things were good then and this is how I remember them most in my mind.

God bless you mom and dad. Thank you so much for being wonderful parents. Everything good inside of me is because of the both of you. ♥

Hash Brown Casserole

On of my favorite dishes to take to a party is my Hash Brown Casserole. Being Easter, I decided to make it a little extra special. It was extra yummy!

First start by coarsely chopped a large onion and two green peppers. Saute them lightly in a half a stick of butter.


While those are simmering away, making your kitchen smell wonderful, into a large bowl dump in one can cream of chicken soup, one can cream of celery soup and one cup sour cream. I also like to add some fresh ground pepper at this point so it gets mixed in well.


I bought really good aged cheddar cheese. After all, Easter only comes once a year. A little of a half a pound was plenty.



Shred a good pile, at least two cups worth.


Add the cheese to the soups and stir well. Next add in 3 pounds of thawed hash brown potatoes and mix again.


Back to the onions and peppers. Add in a stick and the half stick of butter to the pan and shut the heat off as soon as it melts. Stir this yummy stuff into the potatoes.


Use your prettiest 9x13" baking dish :-)


Bake at 350° for 1 1/2 hours until bubbly and slightly browned.



It actually got a little bit browner than this photo shows as I finished the baking when I got to my SIL's house. I think sauteing the onions and peppers added a little specialness and using aged cheese instead of of regular stuff gave the dish a nice sharp taste. Worth the extra effort!

Enjoy! ♥

my Grandma

Yesterday, I had a nice visit with my cousin Dee. She gave me some wonderful family treasures. The best was this portrait of my grandma from 1895. She was the only grandparent I ever knew.

Isn't this a pretty little face? I knew by the eyes and the crooked smile that yup, this was her.

And here is the last photo I took of her, not long before she passed in 1990, with Steven cuddling in her lap.


Thanks Dee! I will find a special spot on my wall for her. ♥